Galway Plate


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The Galway Plate is a National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Galway over a distance of about 2 miles and $6 1/2$ furlongs (2 miles 6 furlongs and 111 yards, or 4,779 metres), and during its running there are fourteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.

The event is held during the seven-day Galway Festival meeting. It was established in 1869, and the inaugural running was won by Absentee. The most successful horse in the race's history is Tipperary Boy, who won three times – in 1899, 1901 and 1902. It was formerly contested over 2 miles and 5 furlongs, but this was extended to 2 miles and 6 furlongs in 1992 and extended by a further half a furlong to the present distance in 2015. The Galway Plate was sponsored by William Hill from 2006 to 2010 and by Tote Ireland since 2011.

Anne Collen was the first lady trainer winning the plate with Randoss in the 1987 Galway Plate National Hunt Chase. Her sister, Sarah Collen, was also the first lady jockey to win the Galway Plate aboard Bold Flyer in 1989.

Records
Most successful horse since 1988 (2 wins):
 * Life of a Lord – 1995, 1996
 * Ansar – 2004, 2005

Leading jockey since 1988 (2 wins):
 * Adrian Maguire – The Gooser (1992), General Idea (1993)
 * Ruby Walsh – Moscow Express (1999), Oslot  (2008)
 * Mark Walsh – Bob Lingo (2012), Early Doors (2020)
 * Paul Townend -  Blazing Tempo (2011), Royal Rendevzous (2021) 

Leading trainer since 1988 (4 wins):
 * Dermot Weld – Kiichi (1990), General Idea (1993), Ansar (2004, 2005)
 * Gordon Elliott -  Lord Scoundrel (2016), Clarcam (2018), Borice (2019), Ash Tree Meadow (2023) 

Winners since 1988

 * Weights given in stones and pounds.

Earlier winners

 * 1869 - Absentee
 * 1872 - Belle
 * 1879 - Liberator
 * 1882 - Sugar Plum
 * 1891 - Queen of the May
 * 1897 - Drogheda
 * 1899 - Tipperary Boy
 * 1901 - Tipperary Boy
 * 1902 - Tipperary Boy
 * 1906 - Royal Tara
 * 1910 - Ashbrooke
 * 1913 - George B
 * 1915 - Hill of Camas
 * 1917 - Privit
 * 1934 - Reviewer
 * 1945 - Grecian Victory
 * 1950 - Derrinstown
 * 1951 - St Kathleen II
 * 1952 - Alberoni
 * 1953 - Gallant Wolf
 * 1954 - Amber Point
 * 1955 - Umm
 * 1956 - Amber Point
 * 1957 - Knight Errant
 * 1958 - Hopeful Colleen
 * 1959 - Highfield Lad
 * 1960 - Sparkling Flame
 * 1961 - Clipador
 * 1962 - Carraroe
 * 1963 - Blunts Cross
 * 1964 - Ross Sea
 * 1965 - Ross Sea
 * 1966 - Cappawhite
 * 1967 - Royal Day
 * 1968 - Terossian
 * 1969 - Royal Day
 * 1970 - Lisnaree
 * 1971 - Sarejay Day
 * 1972 - Persian Lark
 * 1973 - Leap Frog
 * 1974 - Bunclody Tiger
 * 1975 - Our Albert
 * 1976 - O'Leary
 * 1977 - Spittin' Image
 * 1978 - Shining Flame
 * 1979 - Hindhope
 * 1980 - Sir Barry
 * 1981 - Rugged Lucy
 * 1982 - The Lady's Master
 * 1983 - Hamers Flame
 * 1984 - Master Player
 * 1985 - Chow Mein
 * 1986 - Boro Quarter
 * 1987 - Randoss